Key Economic Indicators Point To A Good 2018 For Travel, Despite Larger Turmoil

There's reason to be optimistic as we head into 2018. The U.S. consumer looks healthy, key corporate indicators are positive, and the probability of an economic recession remains relatively low. Emerging markets and developing countries are seeing income levels rising, technology adoption increasing, and trade liberalizing. Financial analysts are forecasting solid growth in revenues and earnings next year in the mid-single digit range for the global public hotel, airline, and cruise companies. All of this lends itself to global, international tourist arrivals growing steadily in 2018 all around the world. They may just skip over coming to the U.S. amidst policy uncertainty (We note international inbound visits to the U.S. decreased 7.6 percent in June 2017 and year-to-date through June 2017 are down 3.6 percent on average per the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries — Department of Commerce). Barring any unforeseen events, which do remain a potential risk, 2018 is setting itse